Miniature art

Miniature art includes paintings, engravings and sculptures that are very small; it has a long history that dates back to prehistory.

Gothic boxwood miniatures are very small carvings in wood, used for rosary beads and the like.

Museums around the world have collections of miniature paintings, drawings, original prints and etchings, and sculpture.

[1] An often-used definition is that a piece of miniature art can be held in the palm of the hand, or that it covers less than 25 square inches or 100 cm².

Some exhibits require the subjects to be depicted in 1/6 actual size, and in all paintings the spirit of miniaturisation should be maintained.

Miniature chair; by Peter Carl Fabergé ; made between 1896 and 1906; Gold, silver gilt, enamel over engine turned ground simulating brocaded textile, rubies and diamonds; overall: 10.5 x 5.3 x 4.8 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art (USA)
Miniature oil painting of Hamilton Pool , Texas Hill Country; oil on 2.5 x 3.5 in. panel
Miniature cooking shape; circa 1700-1799; copper; 1.8 × 3.7 cm; Rijksmuseum ( Amsterdam , the Netherlands )
Ming dynasty glazed ceramic model of a courtyard